The George Sanders Mystery Theater

(1957, NBC)
(aka “Mystery Writers Theater” in syndication)

THE GEORGE SANDERS MYSTERY THEATER was a thirty-minute mystery drama series, aired as a summer replacement series. It was hosted by Sanders (The Falcon!), who would introduce stories adapted from the works of members of the Mystery Writers of America–while wandering around the MWA’s “club.”

Or at least that was the intention.

Unfortunately, by the fourth episode (“You Don’t Live Here”),  the title card for the MWA was missing in action, along with any mention of the organization. Still, during its brief run, the show did air a few episodes worth investigating.

TELEVISION

• THE GEORGE SANDERS MYSTERY THEATER
  (1957, NBC)
  (aka “Mystery Writers Theatre”)
  13 30-minute episodes
  Writers: Leonard Lee, Steve Fisher, Gene Wang
  Works adapted: Charlotte Armstrong, Octavus Roy Cohen, Stanley Ellin, Cornell Woolrich, Frederick Nebel, Craig Rice
  Directors: Fletcher Markle, Gerd Oswald
  Host: George Sanders
  • • “BROKER’S SPECIAL (June 29, 1957)
      Based on a story by Stanley Ellin
      Writers: Jack Jacobs, Malvin Wald
      Directed by Fletcher Markle
      Starring Diana Darrin, Mary Lawrence, Grant Richards, George Sanders
      Notable because Sanders’s character was bumped off at the episode’s conclusion, but then showed up to introduce the closing commercial–which, if nothing else–shows why they call it “commericial television.”
    • “AND THE BIRDS STILL SING” (August 3, 1957)
      Based on a story by Craig Rice
      Teleplay by Gene Wang
      Directed by Gerd Oswald
      Starring John Archer as FRANCIS PARNELL (John J. Malone in story)
      Also starring Mae Clark, Tristram Coffin, John Beradino
    • “TRY IT MY WAY” (August 10, 1957)
      Based on a story by Frederick Nebel
      Teleplay by Whitfield Cook
      Directed by Fletcher Markle
      Starring Howard Wendell, Phil Arnold, and Gilbert Frye

Respectfully submitted by Kevin Burton Smith.